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India go down fighting to Australia

Jay Stacy struck twice from penalty-corners as Australia beat India 3-2 in an action-packed match on the opening day of the four-nation men's hockey tournament in Homebush, Sydney, last night.

Dilip Tirkey got the goals for India but it was young Ben Taylor's controversial goal that won the match for the home side.

Taylor, 24, slammed in a rebound at close to shoulder height with a hit that could just as easily have been ruled dangerous play.

In the opening match, Germany crushed South Africa 5-1.

Australia have split their 23-man team into two for the ongoing series and the one next week in Perth, looking to pick the best for the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam next month.

Germany rarely needed to get out of second gear as Christoph Bechmann and Bjorn Michel both scored twice against South Africa.

Michel's penalty-corner flicks in each half left goalkeeper Brian Myburgh with no chance.

The South Africans need some good results here and next week to try and convince the National Olympic Committee of South Africa to reinstate the team for the Sydney Games. The team qualified as African champions but the NOCSA said they would not enter the team as it felt it wouldn't finish higher than eighth.

Agencies